A friend of mine just purchased a large plasma monitor with limited video inputs and a $600 A/V system in a box. He now finds out that the component video cable that he has run (in side the wall) will not work with all his video sources do to non-conversion from composite / S video to component. I realize that budget entry level questions are not the norm for these forums, but with that said. Any suggestions ???

Check into a surround receiver that does the proper upconversion. Since this is a budget system..... Look into some of the Sherwood equipment. It is the least expensive I am aware of.

You can probably get an DVDO or Princeton Iscan pro or ultra which would solve your upconverting problems and improve the quality of the composite and Svideo signals as well. Non of the upconverting budget receivers will improve SD video sources.

You do not have to spend a fourtune to get a quality system that will put any Home Theater in a Box (HTiB) to shame. Go with an Onkyo, Denon, Marantz, or Yamaha receiver from around $450.00 All of these options will provide exceptional performance for the money and component video upconversion. Then choose a quality speaker system, such as the Paradigm Cinema 70 system ($636.00). You will then have a system that will provide far superior performance and long term capability.

Your friend should decide on how much he wants to spend to get things right. We could then create psossible system combos for that budget. For $2,500 he could be 'livin large'

Thanks Guys,
But I’m afraid that he does not view HD / surround sound and sub woofers that will cause a minor tsunami the same way we do. To him it is just a Big Screen TV that sounds nice. My task is not to “Spread the Faith” , but rather to advise a friend how to get the best bang for the buck. Most people grow into a system… Like buying a starter house. After reading the posts I took Sound Man’s advice and checked the Sherwood WEB site and found the RD-8601 which seems to upconvert and has a List price of $399.99 ( street price $282 ). If any of you are still reading this post and have not thrown a chair through your computer monitor , I would appreciate any input as to this receiver or similar ones. Some day I will convert him but now is not the time.
Thanks
DomC

How about a quality receiver (I suggest the Integra DTR-4.5, $499 list) and a quality pair of left and right speakers ( I suggest the Definitive Technology ProCinema 80 left and right for $225/pair. The come in brushed silver to match the plasma and can be easily wall mounted. When mounted on the wall they stick out the same distance off the wall as the plasma.) Next step is a good sub and soon he will be adding the center and surrounds.

..or just use S-video for all connections. It's a big step up in quality from composite. And I doubt your friend could see the difference between S-video and component; I have both and often can't see any myself.

I was thinking a Yamaha RX-V1500 $799 retail. Was also thinking Def Tech speakers. The ProCinema 60 system w/sub retails for $699 and will smoke HTIB solutions. I would however check into the Mythos line. They are Sexy and cool. Just a left and right with a sub would probably sound better than an entry level HTIB. Your friend will definitely be better off building a system 1 piece at a time with decent stuff than buying lesser gear all at once.


[Link: definitivetech.com]

[Link: definitivetech.com]